The National Construction Authority ( Amendment) Bill, 2025

SPECIALISSUE

KenyaGazetteSupplementNo.134(SenateBillsNo.15)

REPUBLICOFKENYA

KENYAGAZETTESUPPLEMENT

SENATEBILLS,2025

NAIROBI, 5th August, 2025

CONTENT

BillforIntroductionintotheSenate

PAGE

TheNational ConstructionAuthority(Amendment)Bill,2025

223

THENATIONALCONSTRUCTIONAUTHORITY (AMENDMENT)BILL,2025

A Billfor

• ANACTofParliamenttoamendtheNational Construction Authority Act;and for connected purposes.

ENACTED by theParliament of Kenya, as follows--

• 1.ThisAct may be cited as theNational Construction Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025.

2.Section5oftheNationalConstructionAuthority Act,in this Act referred to as the "principal Act",is amendedinsubsection(2)byinserting thefollowingnew paragraphimmediately afterparagraph (h)-

(ha)promote and enforce the useof environmentallysustainableconstructionmaterials, designs,standards andpracticesthat enhance resilience against climate change risks.

3.The principal Act isamended byinserting gthe following new section immediately after section 23A—

MandatorySolar SystemInstallation zones.

23B.(1)The Authority shall,in consultationwith relevant agencies, designatezoneswithinwhichallnew buildings constructed shall be required to install solarenergy systems.

• (2)The zonesdesignatedunder subsection (l)shall include areas that receiveanaverageof sufficientsunshine hours per day to support the effective generation of solar energy.
• (3)The Cabinet Secretary shall prescribe regulationsas maybe necessary fortheeffectiveimplementationofthis section.

4. Section 42 of the principal Act is amended in subsection 2 by——

• (a) inserting in paragraph (aa) the words "that include climate change responsive mechanisms" immediately after the word "industry";

Short title.

Amendmentto section5ofCap 118.

Insertionof anew section23Bin Cap.118.

Amendmentof section42of Cap 118.

• (b)inserting the following new paragraph immediately afterparagraph(ab)
• (ac)the manner of incorporating climate change responsivemechanismsintoconstruction activitiesassetoutintheFourthSchedule;
• 5.The principal Act is amended by inserting the following newSchedule immediately after the Third Schedule--

FOURTHSCHEDULE (S.42)

CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSIVE MECHANISMS TO BE CONSIDERED IN CONSTRUCTIONACTIVITIES

• A—ClimateResilience:
• (a)Designs that withstand extreme weather conditions.
• (b)Incorporation of green spaces and natural buffers.
• B —— Energy Efficiency:
• (a) Implementation of energy-saving technologies and designs.
• (b) Utilization of renewable energy sources.
• C—Water Conservation:
• (a) Adoption of water-efficient appliances and systems.
• (b)Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling.
• D—SustainableMaterials:
• (a) Use of recycled, renewable, and locally sourced materials.
• (b) Minimizing waste through efficient design and constructionpractices.
• E—Pollution Control:
• (a)Measures toreduce air,water,and soil pollution duringconstruction.
• (b) Safedisposalandmanagementof construction waste.

Insertion of a new schedule of Cap. 118.

• F—Biodiversity Protection:
• (a) Preservationofexistingnaturalhabitatsand ecosystems.
• (b) Integration of green roofs and walls to support urban biodiversity.
• H—Health and Safety:
• (a) Ensuring indoor air quality and natural lighting.
• (b) Use of non-toxic and low-emission materials.

MEMORANDUMOFOBJECTSANDREASONS

StatementoftheObjectsandReasonsfortheBill

TheNationalConstructionAuthority(Amendment)Bill,2025seeks toamendtheNationalConstructionAuthorityAct,Cap118toinclude provisionsrelated to environmentally sustainable constructionpractices andresilienceagainstclimatechangeriskswithintheconstruction industry.

The construction sector plays a crucial role in the development of Kenya'sinfrastructureandeconomy.However,italsosignificantly impactstheenvironmentandisvulnerabletoclimatechangerisks. Therefore,there isapressing needtointegrateenvironmental sustainabilityandclimateresilienceintoconstructionactivities.

Clause2oftheBillproposestoamendSection5toempowerthe NationalConstructionAuthoritytopromoteandenforcetheuseof environmentally sustainable construction materials,designs,standards, andpractices.Bydoingso,theconstructionindustrywillbeencouragedto adoptpracticesthatreduceenvironmentalimpactandenhanceresilience againstclimatechangeeffects.

Further,clause3oftheBill aimstoamendSection42oftheActby inserting specific requirements related to climate change responsiveness. This amendment ensures that standards,guidelines,and regulations developedbytheNationalConstructionAuthorityfortheconstruction industryincludemechanismsthataddressclimatechangerisks.Such mechanismswill enable theindustry to adaptto changingenvironmental conditionsandcontributetonationaleffortsaimedatmitigatingclimate change impacts.

Statementonthedelegationoflegislativepowersandlimitationof fundamentalrightsandfreedoms

proposedamendmentsaimtoenhancetheregulatoryframeworkof the NationalConstructionAuthoritybypromoting environmentally sustainableconstructionpracticesandincorporating climate change resilience measures within the construction industry.

StatementofhowtheBillconcernsCountyGovernments

UnderParagraph8ofPart2oftheFourthScheduleofthe Constitution,counties have explicit responsibilities in planning and development,includinghousing.The amendmentsintroduced bythisBill whichemphasizetheintegrationofclimate change responsive mechanisms intobuilding codes and standards,directlyimpact counties' abilitiestoenforceenvironmentallyconsciousconstructionpractices and ensureclimatechangeresilience oflocalinfrastructure.

Therefore, the proposed amendments align closely with the constitutional mandateof counties in overseeingland-use planning and infrastructure development,as articulated in Article 110(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Statement that the Bill isnot a money Bill within themeaning of Article114oftheConstitution

ThisBill is not a moneyBillwithin the meaning of Article 114of the Constitution.It primarily seeks to amend regulatory and operational provisions related to the National Construction Authority Act,focusing on matters concerning construction standards,practices, and climate change responsiveness.The amendments proposed in this Bill do not involve the appropriation, imposition, or alteration of taxes, levies, duties, or public expenditure.Therefore,theBilldoesnotfallwithinthedefinitionofa moneyBill as specified under Article 114 of the Constitution.

Dated the20thMarch,2025.

EDDYGICHERUOKETCH,

Senator.

Section5ofCap118whichitisproposedtoamend:

5.Functions of the Authority.

(1) The objectfor which theAuthorityis established istooverseethe constructionindustryandcoordinateitsdevelopment.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Authorityshall-

• (a)promoteandstimulatethe development,improvement and expansion of the construction industry;
• (b)adviseandmakerecommendationsto theCabinetSecretaryon matters affecting or connected with the construction industry;
• (c)undertake or commissionresearchinto anymatter relating to the construction industry;
• (d) prescribe the qualificationsor other attributes required for registration as a contractor under this Act;
• (e)assist in the exportation of construction services connected to the construction industry;
• (f)provide consultancyand advisory serviceswithrespect to the construction industry;
• (g) promote and ensure quality assurance in the construction industry;
• (ga)enforce the prescribed BuildingCodein the construction industry;
• (h)encouragethestandardisation andimprovementofconstruction techniques and materials;
• (i)initiate and maintain a constructionindustryinformationsystem;
• ()provide,promote,review and co-ordinate training programmes organized by public and private accredited training centers for skilledconstructionworkersandconstructionsitesupervisors;
• (k) accredit andregister contractors andregulate their professional undertakings;
• (l)accredit and certify skilled constructionworkers and construction site supervisors;
• (m)developandpublishacodeofconductfor theconstruction industry;and

• (n) do all other things that may be necessary for the better carrying outofitsfunctionsundertheAct.

Section42ofCap118whichit isproposedtoamend:

42.Power to make Regulations.

(1) The Cabinet Secretary may in consultation with the Board, make regulations generally for the better carrying out of the purposes of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, regulation madeunderthissectionmayprovidefor-

• (a) the manner of payment of the levy imposed under section 31;
• (aa) the Building Code in the construction industry;
• (ab) the manner of conducting mandatory inspections by the Authority;
• (b) themanner of service of anynoticerequired under Act;
• (c) the fees and charges to be paid in respect of any matter required for purposes of thisAct;
• (d)themannerandformsofaccreditationandcertificationof contractors,skilled construction workers and construction site supervisors;
• (e)theresponsibilities and control of theofficers and servants of the Authority;
• (f)theperformance of the functions,the exercise of the powers and discharge of the duties of the Authority under this Act; and
• (g) any other matter to give effect to the provisions of this Act.

(3)Regulationsmadeunder thissection shall be tabledinParliament for approval before taking effect.